Doctor pleads not guilty to sex-abuse charges

FULLERTON – An anesthesiologist pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges that he sexually abused two female patients during surgeries at Placentia-Linda Hospital, authorities said.

Yashwant B. Giri, 58, of Cypress has been charged with one felony count of sexual battery on an institutionalized victim and one felony count of sexual penetration by a foreign object of an unconscious victim, according to a statement from the District Attorney's Office.

If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of eight years in state prison.

Investigators allege that he sexually abused the girl while she was unconscious from medication. A nurse witnessed the sexual assault and alerted a director, but the hospital failed to immediately report the incident, prosecutors said.

The woman was sexually abused while she was unconscious under anesthesia during an outpatient procedure. A hospital employee, who peeked into the operating room, witnessed Giri fondling the woman's breasts and reported the incident to a director, prosecutors said.

After an internal investigation, the hospital's administration notified the Placentia Police Department of the allegations April 12, with the District Attorney's Office filing charges May 4. A warrant was put out for Giri's arrest and he was taken into custody the following day as he drove away from his home, authorities said.

Giri was booked at the Orange County Jail and posted bond a few hours later, according to arrest records.

Placentia-Linda officials in a written release indicated that Giri had resigned from their staff in April, adding that they have reported the alleged incidents to the California Department of Public Health and the medical board, as well as local authorities.

Hospital officials declined to comment on why the allegations of sexual abuse in 2009 weren't immediately reported to authorities.

Giri has worked at other hospitals including Lakewood Regional Medical Center, Anaheim Regional Medical Center, West Anaheim Medical Center and Western Medical Center Anaheim.

Giri is expected to return to court on June 7 for a pre-trial hearing at the North Justice Center in Fullerton.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the case to call 714-993-8194.